After 42 years behind the drums of the beast, a few days after the 2 concerts in Chile and after the recent passing of the former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di’Anno, this December 7th, Nicko McBrain announced his retirement from touring. Nicko had a stroke in 2023 and even though he has recovered from that, he realized that he no longer can play as fast as before and that the touring lifestyle is now too…
On November 27, 2024, a special metal moment happened on American National Television, Knocked Loose performed Suffocate with Poppy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Knocked Loose They are an American hardcore punk band formed in 2013 with 3 studio albums. Their most recent work, You Won’t Go Before You’re Supposed To, was released on May 10, 2024 (you can read my review here). The band combines hardcore with metalcore in their music. Band…
A couple of weeks ago I read the news that shocked some metal scene, specifically the metalcore musicians and fans. A German company, blegh.de, trademarked the word blegh for clothing and accessories usage. This brought as a consequence that other stores and creators that sell merchandising with that word in it had to get them out of their online shops or they had to see that the online store did it themselves. But… What…
In a world increasingly aware of the ethical, environmental, and health impacts of our choices, activism has found new forms of expression, particularly within music. The intersection of music and veganism is a powerful example of how artists can influence public consciousness, not just through lyrics but through the very ethos they embody. For those of us navigating both the metal scene and the vegan movement, this synergy is more than just a trend—it’s a…
The Music Poets. Lyrics have a special way of capturing emotions, weaving narratives, and addressing the complex issues of the world. Some lyricists transport us into realms of fantasy, while others make us confront harsh realities like war, existential questions, or relationship difficulties. Here are some of my favorite lyricists (in no particular order). 1. Vessel (Sleep Token). It’s impossible to pick just one example from Vessel’s enigmatic, deeply personal lyrics. He seamlessly blends themes…
Singers often serve as the voice of emotion, power, and storytelling. Each vocalist brings a unique style, and tone to the stage, leaving an indelible mark. Here are some of my favorite vocalists (in no particular order). 1. Vessel (Sleep Token). His voice is a mix of fragility and ferocity. His breathiness adds a haunting, delicate quality, while his ability to seamlessly transition into growls showcases an impressive range. There’s an emotional vulnerability in…
I haven’t always been a big fan of keyboards in rock, and especially in metal music. But with time I’ve learned to appreciate it more and more, and enjoy the depth and atmosphere this instrument provides to a music piece. Here are some musicians that helped change my mind (in no particular order). 1. Jon Lord. This music legend was mostly known for playing with Deep Purple. With the classic Hammond organ mixed classical music…
As I said in the previous posts, the drummers are the heart and soul of the band, they carry the rhythm (along with the bassists). Here are some of my favorite drummers (in no particular order). 1. Neil Peart. The best drummer of all time, in my opinion. He was Rush’s drummer. 2. Mike Portnoy. This talented drummer has played with many bands but he is most known for being in Dream Theater.…
The bass. My second favorite instrument. I also tried to learn it and achieved more than with the guitar. In the beginning, I saw it as a consolation prize, but then I learned to love it because it carries the rhythm, heart, and soul of the band (along with the drums) and it can sound simple or overly intricate. I love it when the bass sounds good and clear in the mix (a thing that…
The guitar, and more precisely, the electric guitar, is my favorite instrument. The one that I’ve tried to learn many times, without success. I lack the required discipline. I can only play some basic songs and things, so I’ll better let the professionals shine on this. These are some of my favorite guitarists. I like many more, but for this article to be short and sweet, here’s a selection of them, in no particular order.…